Stakeholders’ perceptions of hydrogen and reflections on energy transition governance
Abstract Background There is a race to innovate, develop or create hydrogen production technologies to accelerate energy transition and create a hydrogen economy. Acceptance has been used in social science literature as a lens through which to anticipate possible challenges surrounding hydrogen tech...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2024-03-01
|
| Series: | Energy, Sustainability and Society |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13705-023-00429-w |
| _version_ | 1797273640124809216 |
|---|---|
| author | Cristina Parente Francisca Teixeira Jorge Cerdeira |
| author_facet | Cristina Parente Francisca Teixeira Jorge Cerdeira |
| author_sort | Cristina Parente |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background There is a race to innovate, develop or create hydrogen production technologies to accelerate energy transition and create a hydrogen economy. Acceptance has been used in social science literature as a lens through which to anticipate possible challenges surrounding hydrogen technologies. However, very few studies problematize perceptions and focus on the production of hydrogen. Hence, this study aims to bridge these theoretical and empirical gaps using a mixed-method approach based on semi-structured interviews (n = 7) and a questionnaire survey (n = 73) to understand stakeholders’ perceptions of hydrogen production sources through a social construction of technology lens. Results The findings suggest a tendency to favor hydrogen produced from renewable sources and to reject hydrogen produced from non-renewable sources. All the examined groups conform to this pattern. Their perceptions are based on prior knowledge of hydrogen technologies, with participants seeking information from specialized sources or from activities promoted by their organizations. Participants anticipate that hydrogen will be generated primarily through renewable energy sources and utilized where direct electrification is unfeasible. In addition, they envisage that the hydrogen economy will enhance energy democracy through representative participation in decision-making. Nevertheless, it is acknowledged that the topic is limited to certain social groups and kept away from the public eye. Furthermore, unlike the benefits, the perception of risk appears to have no impact on perceptions’ construction. High confidence in science appears to minimize the recognition of potential risks and bolster the recognition of potential benefits. There is, however, a lot of uncertainty about the possible real impacts of the hydrogen economy. Conclusions There appears to be a collective perspective on hydrogen production sources, indicating the existence of social representations. Nevertheless, group attitudes and backing towards hydrogen vary. The participants identify hydrogen as a matter that remained unnoticed for over a decade, despite its prominent position in the policies and economic approaches of numerous countries. The topic has been relegated to third parties. This exclusion of civil society from decision-making may justify the NGO group's critical stance towards hydrogen. Moreover, it suggests that energy democracy, which is based on information dissemination and participation, is not being achieved. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:47:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0bece269b69b4eec9eeda5fd5b786ee4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2192-0567 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:47:17Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energy, Sustainability and Society |
| spelling | doaj.art-0bece269b69b4eec9eeda5fd5b786ee42024-03-05T19:52:36ZengBMCEnergy, Sustainability and Society2192-05672024-03-0114111910.1186/s13705-023-00429-wStakeholders’ perceptions of hydrogen and reflections on energy transition governanceCristina Parente0Francisca Teixeira1Jorge Cerdeira2Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Institute of Sociology and Center for Economics and Finance, University of PortoFaculty of Arts and Humanities, Institute of Sociology and Center for Economics and Finance, University of PortoFaculty of Arts and Humanities, Institute of Sociology and Center for Economics and Finance, University of PortoAbstract Background There is a race to innovate, develop or create hydrogen production technologies to accelerate energy transition and create a hydrogen economy. Acceptance has been used in social science literature as a lens through which to anticipate possible challenges surrounding hydrogen technologies. However, very few studies problematize perceptions and focus on the production of hydrogen. Hence, this study aims to bridge these theoretical and empirical gaps using a mixed-method approach based on semi-structured interviews (n = 7) and a questionnaire survey (n = 73) to understand stakeholders’ perceptions of hydrogen production sources through a social construction of technology lens. Results The findings suggest a tendency to favor hydrogen produced from renewable sources and to reject hydrogen produced from non-renewable sources. All the examined groups conform to this pattern. Their perceptions are based on prior knowledge of hydrogen technologies, with participants seeking information from specialized sources or from activities promoted by their organizations. Participants anticipate that hydrogen will be generated primarily through renewable energy sources and utilized where direct electrification is unfeasible. In addition, they envisage that the hydrogen economy will enhance energy democracy through representative participation in decision-making. Nevertheless, it is acknowledged that the topic is limited to certain social groups and kept away from the public eye. Furthermore, unlike the benefits, the perception of risk appears to have no impact on perceptions’ construction. High confidence in science appears to minimize the recognition of potential risks and bolster the recognition of potential benefits. There is, however, a lot of uncertainty about the possible real impacts of the hydrogen economy. Conclusions There appears to be a collective perspective on hydrogen production sources, indicating the existence of social representations. Nevertheless, group attitudes and backing towards hydrogen vary. The participants identify hydrogen as a matter that remained unnoticed for over a decade, despite its prominent position in the policies and economic approaches of numerous countries. The topic has been relegated to third parties. This exclusion of civil society from decision-making may justify the NGO group's critical stance towards hydrogen. Moreover, it suggests that energy democracy, which is based on information dissemination and participation, is not being achieved.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13705-023-00429-wSCOT approachHydrogenPerceptionsMixed approachStakeholdersGovernance |
| spellingShingle | Cristina Parente Francisca Teixeira Jorge Cerdeira Stakeholders’ perceptions of hydrogen and reflections on energy transition governance Energy, Sustainability and Society SCOT approach Hydrogen Perceptions Mixed approach Stakeholders Governance |
| title | Stakeholders’ perceptions of hydrogen and reflections on energy transition governance |
| title_full | Stakeholders’ perceptions of hydrogen and reflections on energy transition governance |
| title_fullStr | Stakeholders’ perceptions of hydrogen and reflections on energy transition governance |
| title_full_unstemmed | Stakeholders’ perceptions of hydrogen and reflections on energy transition governance |
| title_short | Stakeholders’ perceptions of hydrogen and reflections on energy transition governance |
| title_sort | stakeholders perceptions of hydrogen and reflections on energy transition governance |
| topic | SCOT approach Hydrogen Perceptions Mixed approach Stakeholders Governance |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13705-023-00429-w |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT cristinaparente stakeholdersperceptionsofhydrogenandreflectionsonenergytransitiongovernance AT franciscateixeira stakeholdersperceptionsofhydrogenandreflectionsonenergytransitiongovernance AT jorgecerdeira stakeholdersperceptionsofhydrogenandreflectionsonenergytransitiongovernance |